© Lillene Ebanks
The evacuation process included free buses, trains, and air travel to various points in the country. All the federal, state and local authorities communicated so they could work together for the safety, protection, and happiness of all of His precious people.
Thank you President Bush for your reassurance and leadership of all the governors, all the senators, all the police, all of the intensive care nurses and doctors, all the communication between newscasters, the reporters from all over the world, the federal, state and local personnel, all of the transportation personnel, all of the Army, Air-force, Marine, Coast Guard, National Guard, all of the non-profit organizations, the faith based community of volunteers, who are working together for the benefit of the evacuees. Thank you for all the prayers of the people of God across the country and world. I am proud to live in America the Beautiful, the land that we love.
In the wake of the storm, the French Quarter was evacuated except for the police, the national and international reporters, the National Guards, a few French Quarter residents, and three restaurants are open in the French Quarter. Some police are patrolling the streets and some will stay safely in the hotel on Royal Street to be in place to protect the businesses and to provide rescue efforts.
At five o’clock P.M. the last train will pull out from the French Quarter Grey Hound bus station with the last of the evacuees. However, intensive care doctors in the hospitals made the decision to reduce the stress of moving the patients and not to accept the life flight offered them by Texas. Most of the nursing homes in New Orleans have been evacuated and some are now requesting assistance to evacuate.
In the French Quarter the sky is clear and the wind is still. Looking over the balcony on Bourbon Street at five o’clock on Sunday, August 31, 2008, I am aware of peace and pride as the country unites, one nation under God with the hope of liberty and justice for all.
According to the television, Col. Ed. Edmonson said that this was the largest evacuation in the history of Louisiana with about 1.9 million people safely evacuated by 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, which he believes is about 90 percent of the southern coastal area of Louisiana.
Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Bobby Gendal, evacuated the city of New Orleans and the coastal areas of Louisiana, with a mandatory evacuation this morning as Gustav was a category four or possibly five storm that had devastated Cuba in the early hours of the morning. The Cayman Islands did not receive any damage as the storm passed about 60 mile north west of the three islands last night.
On Sunday afternoon, counter-flow took affect and all the lanes on Interstate 10 changed so that the traffic flow rerouted all vehicles away from Louisiana. The dust to dawn curfew goes into effect as the remaining residents in the French Quarter bunker down to await the force of Gustav. It is predicted that the electricity will take five to seven days to be reinstated.
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to open on Monday at about two P.M. as Gastav is predicted to hit New Orleans at 3.oo P.M. Monday, September 1, 2008. In honor of the evacuees President Bush assured the nation that he will be checking on the evacuees in all the states and will not be speaking at the opening day of the Republican Convention.
I am so proud of my country tonight. Senator Ted Kennedy proved once again that with faith, hope, and tenacity anything is possible. What a wonderful endorsement for Barack from Teddy. We have all prayed and hoped the best for him through these past difficult months. Tonight he roared like the lion he has become. At his eleventh, and perhaps last, presidential convention Senator Kennedy proved his love and loyalty not only to the Democrartic Party, but to the United States of America as well.
And then there was Michelle! What a woman of grace, intelligence and charisma. She spoke like we all do. She thinks like us. She is a mom who puts her family first. How incredible is that in a First Lady. Her brother's words were poignant and sincere. The beautiful narration by their mother during the introductory speech portrayed the love and pride that she feels for her daughter. Michelle seems to truly love and support her husband with all of her heart. Barack made the right choice when he fell in love with her. Their devotion is refreshing and together they are a formidable force.
I am so proud of my country tonight. On the 88th anniversary of Women's Suffrage, Caroline Kennedy spoke from her heart about her enthusiasm for Barack. The divide between the Clinton/Obama supporters seemed to diminish as each amazing woman took the platform and pleaded their case for this once in our lifetime candidate.
Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha are endearing as a family. They will be a First Family to admire, emmulate and respect. We must work harder than ever. We must do it not only for ourselves, our families, and our country; we must do it for Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha too.
